When you do a webcast, Google Hangout, Skype, or any form of combining audio and video in a live format, most people tend to just go with the onboard microphone and video cam.

This is certainly… ok for a quick “Hi how are you?” But what if you really want people to enjoy the experience and understand the content you are presenting? Shouldn’t you put your best foot forward? Avoid any possible chance of being misunderstood?

Here’s the thing, if the audio is too low, distorted, muffled or just lousy… you will frustrate, alienate and lose your audience.

Here is a quick run down of how to add audio to your webcast and the level of quality

On board microphone and webcam… ok for close friends and a how are you webcast.

A mic plugged into the computers input or USB – Better than the on board mic because you can move the microphone closer to you and thus better intimate, close up sound. Also the mic is going to be of better quality.

A professional audio interface – This is the best way to go because it converts your audio to digital before the audio signal reaches your computer/digital device. ex) PreSonus, Focusrite, M-Audio, Steinberg, etc. (see audio interfaces)

Now rather than explain things like signal to noise, gain, frequency response… the key to good audio relies on what does it sound like.

Now this being said, the type of microphone, quality and pick up pattern is important. However, that is for another time. But first let’s see what we have to work with here.

All this is just a start. The real test is in what your audience hears. and to do that we need a good audio output. Which brings us to monitoring your audio… on the next post. B-)